Yuri Khaschevatsky “Youth makes us optimistic” :: Charter'97 :: News

24-25 April the Festival of the Belarusian culture took place in Krakov. A considerable number of the Belarusian informal culture fans gathered there. White-red-white flags, posters, storm of applause and emotions- this way the Krakov people welcomed the Belarusian performers at the Polish stage. “Come to us more often, the hall of the Yagellon University shouted. There are so many new and interesting things!”.

The Belarusian film-director Yuri Khaschevatsky whose creative works are familiar to the Polish people shared his impressions of the event with the Deutsche velle.

“They are a very attentive and interested audience. During the discussion with audience we touched upon the most unexpected issues. . For example we argued about how to look upon the situation in Belarus with optimism or pessimism. I mentioned a well-known quotation that a pessimist is a well-informed optimist. Anyway, that depends on what angle the issue is viewed upon. If we consider the authorities, those people who give in to them, then certainly this arouses said feelings. But if to consider our youth and our true elite than, certainly, it arouses optimism”, Yuri Khaschevatsky regards.

Polish and Belarusian spectators could also get acquainted with a new book of historian Aleg Latishonak, chairman of the Belarusian historical association in Poland:

“My new book is a specific historical research: where the country Belarus and people Belarusians appeared from. And how the Belarusian nation had been gradually formed. Besides, I consider that Belarusians are only those who call themselves Belarusians”, Aleg Latishonak says.

Claudia Prozhmovska from the Yagellan University supposes that such event helps Polish people to apprehend better the Belarusian culture. “The Belarusian culture seems to have a great potential, the student says. The Belarusian culture has not been completely comprehended by the Polish people. Certainly, such festivals, informal communication make us closer .It seems to me that such events should be organized more often’.

Belarusian organizer of the Festival, student of the higher theatrical school of Krakov Zmitzer Chartkou speaks:

“The atmosphere of the festival speaks for itself. The Polish people are an open and friendly audience. As far as the interest to the Belarusian culture is concerned I will give a simple example: the majority of questions at the conferences, creative discussions were asked by the Polish participants”.